Gwen, Mike, and Laura: A Family Celebration

June 5, 2017

Some love stories are about a couple. And some are about family. Gwen, Mike and Laura’s story is not just about a marriage but about the family that they created.

Unlike many of the stories I get to tell, this one was not an actual wedding. After meeting in New Orleans and falling rapidly in love, Gwen and Mike eloped in New York (I saw the adorable polaroids from their day to prove it) one year before returning to New Orleans to celebrate their marriage with their family and friends. But they weren’t just celebrating their trip to the courthouse: they were also celebrating bringing little Laura into the world. Most weddings and elopement celebrations have the couple’s name on napkins or favors. I loved that Gwen and Mike put Laura’s name on everything too. It was a sweet touch to a day that was already brimming with love.

I’m a total sap when it comes to weddings. I cry almost every time I see a Bride or Groom walk down the aisle. I didn’t witness any aisle walking on this particular day but that did not stop the waterworks! The couple decided to renew their vows to each other at their celebration. Even though I had never met Gwen, Mike or their family before that day, their vows had me (and just about everybody else in the courtyard) in tears. The way they loved each other and committed their lives to not only bringing out the best in each other but also to creating a loving world for Laura to grow up in tugged away at my heartstrings. Crouched near the ground, snapping away while trying to not block anyone’s view, I felt so honored to be capturing such a tender moment between two lovely (and in love) people. It was moments like those that really make me love being a New Orleans Wedding Photographer.

Lunch was followed by teary-eyed speeches before the Kinfolk Brass Band invaded the courtyard and got everybody up and dancing! We brought the party across the street for a giant group photo (with the names Gwen, Mike, and Laura spelled out in giant gold balloons!) before second-lining in true New Orleans fashion from Brennan’s to Tableau. It may have been a hot and sticky day but it was a beautiful time.

Many thanks, as always, to Kate Gegenheimer for sweating it out with me! Check out my favorites below.